School of the Americas protestors on trial

by: SOA Watch

Georgia: In November 2001, 10,000 people gathered at the gates of the US military base Fort Benning in Georgia, to protest against the School of the Americas (SOA/WHISC). Over 100 people were arrested and the 43 have been singled out for prosecution. They are facing up to six months in federal prison and a $5000 fine. Their trial starts on 8 July 2002.

During its 56 years, the SOA has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence and interrogation tactics. Graduates of the SOA are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses in South America; the skills they gain in the US are consistently used to wage a war against their own people. In 2001 the SOA was renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC), which even a supporter of the school has claimed is a "cosmetic" change.

To send messages of support to the defendants, go to: http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=357. Further action is planned for this November at Fort Benning.

Contact
info@soaw.org
http://www.soaw.org

More about School of the America’s in previous issues of PN: 2444, 2445